PAUL CLIFFORD "RUSTY" PURDY Jr.

Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home

Paul (Rusty) Clifford Purdy Jr., born June 22, 1947, in Hailey, ID, passed away at his home on December 20, 2012. Paul was a son, brother, father, grandfather and a great-grandfather. He will be deeply missed.

Paul was preceded in death by mother and father Paul & Cherry Purdy Sr., father and mother-in-law Edward & Vivian Hamblin, and brother-in-law Allen Tuell.

Paul is survived by his spouse Paula Purdy, son Paul C. Purdy III (Abby) Purdy (Kennewick, WA); daughter Chawna (Kaaba) Miller ( Kennewick, WA); 7 grandchildren, Makayla Yates (Pasco, WA), Ashlee & Crighton Purdy (England), Jasmine Miller, Mo Miller, Jalsa Miller, Ebonesse Miller, all of (Kennewick, WA), Tailisha Miller, (Portland OR); 2 great-grandsons, Jaise Miller and Zell Hughes Jr.; and sisters Rachel (Dana) Morgan and Penni Purdy.

Paul grew up in Idaho on a ranch where he learned to ride horses at a very early age while working on the ranch. Paul used his horse riding skills and competed in calf roping during the summer at the small town rodeos in Idaho.

He graduated from Gooding High School in 1965. During his high school years he participated in all sports, but his love of football earned him a scholarship to Yakima Community College at the same time the family moved to Kennewick.

He married his soul mate Paula (Hamblin) Purdy on September 1, 1968. They lived in the same house for 40 years and raised their 2 children: son, Paul Clifford, III, and daughter, Chawna.

Paul was a retired Fireman, which was his passion. He loved being a fireman with his heart and soul. Paul was forced to retire from the Kennewick Fire Department due to a medical condition; he was devastated by this. He was a member of the Search and Rescue team, and was a Paramedic. He taught Fire Science at Tri-Tech for several years while instructing CPR to many companies year after year all over Yakima Valley and the Tri-Cities until 6 years ago where he forced to retire due to health issues.

Paul and Paula pursued many hobbies in retirement: Teepee Camping, golfing, Musket Shooting, Fishing, Biking and playing men's Baseball. The #1 hobby that he did, up until his health made it unsafe to, was biking. It was nothing for him to ride 50-100 miles a day. Even in the end he was hoping to be able to ride his bicycle again.

We know Paul is in the big fire station where there no pain and he will watch over us, he will be missed very much. There just is never a right time for us on earth to let a loved one go.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 29, at 1:00 p.m., at Cathedral of Joy, 153 Gage Blvd., Richland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul's name to IAFF Local 1296, 3021 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336.

The family invites you to sign their online guestbook at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.